Major Richard J. Barnes

Major Richard J. Barnes

Clermont

Major Richard J. Barnes, USMC Retired, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at his home in Clermont, Iowa. He was born Aug, 8, 1937, middle child of James and Mary (Kaprich) Barnes, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated high school in West Union Iowa in 1955. He then went onto Loras College and graduated in 1959. While still in college, he registered for the Marine Corps in 1958.

He married Kathryn Riley in May 1962. They had six children, Michael (Michelle), Richard (Aida), Mary (Dwayne) Barnhill, Matthew, Anne (Bruce) Wegner, and Riley (Sarah) Barnes.

Richard served in the Marine Corps for 22 years and reached the rank of Major. Kathryn passed away in April 1983. In 1990, Richard met Ardith Olson. They married on Nov. 7, 1992, at St. Francis of Assisi in Fayette. They recently celebrated 30 years of marriage. Richard gained three bonus children when he married Ardie; Lauri, Scott and Jeff (Lana) Olson.

Between their nine children they have 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Eric (deceased), Christian and Heather Barnes, Alyzza and Austin Barnes, Kathryn and Patrick Barnhill, Charlotte and Audrey Barnes, Grayson and Hannah Wegner, Emily and Elijah Barnes, Ashley and Miranda Olson, and great-grandchild Chance Olson.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Ardie; his brothers, Jim (Cheri) and Edward (Virginia); brother and sisters-in-law, Betty Riley, Dawn (Joel) Menuey, Charlotte (Zeke) Seedorff, Roger (Judy) Weston and Rose Mary Weston; along with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Mary Barnes; his wife, Kathryn Riley Barnes; brothers-in- law, Jack Riley and Larry (Georgie) Riley; sisters-in-law, Janet (Gary Keefe, Dale Batterson) Batterson Keefe and Norma Perry; and grandson, Eric Barnes.

The family requests that memorial donations in Richard’s honor be made to: Palmer Hospice, the American Legion Post #375, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Clermont Public Library, and the Clermont Historical Society.

Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa, with a Rosary at 2:30 p.m. There also will be a one-hour visitation before mass at the church on Monday.

A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa.

Burial with Military Rites will be at a later date at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa, is helping the family with the arrangements.